The JET Program Survey

Comments on the JET Programme...

As JETs, we need to be more honest when we return to our home countries. It is our reponsibility to see that the truth about this programme is told to incoming JETs and potential applicants. All they ever hear ae the dewy-eyed stories of people who had a "wonderful time"! All I've ever heard is "O Japan was so WONDERFUL!" It can't be true that every person I've talked to who was on JET had a spank-o-riffic time here, especially since most of the people I know (now that I'm here) have had some kind of traumatic experience.

JTEs should take ALTS more seriously. The exam system should be changed too. Students should be taught meaningful skills for life, not just passing the fucken exam!

1) In january I injured myself digging snow.

2) Went to doctor with supervisor, found the doctor spoke a little english (on a 1 to 10 basis, with 1 being very bad he was a 3)

3) Doctor made a diagnosis which later turned out to be incorrect. He gave me a week of work on bedrest. He also gave me an injection into my spinal cord.

4) After this my supervisor said he didnt have to come with me as the Dr spoke english.

5) the next week I went again. Had the same injection and was given 3 weeks off.

6) This time I asked my super to help me get a second opinion as I wasnt happy with the Dr.

7) He had a meeting with the rest of the office(13people) and it was decided that I didnt need a second opinion as this Dr was good enough And he spoke english.

8) Anyway, nothing inproved and after 6 weeks off work I decided I had to get a second opinion as I wasnt getting better. Through a friend in another prefecture I found an english speaking orthopedic surgeon. When I visited him he freaked out and I was immediately admitted to hospital. Ity turns out I was so badly injured I could have lost the use of a leg.

8) So after 6 weeks off work I was admitted to hospital, I had 2 operations on my spine, 1 was 5 hours + under general anethetic, the other was over 1 hour and I was conscious the whole time. I was in hospital for 45days.

9) During this time I had 3 phonecalls/2visits from my super, no contact at all from AJET, No Contact at all from CLAIR and No contact at all from anyone at the kencho in my prefecture. I lost all my Nenkyu for the year, was threatened with being fired, threatened with half pay, and was told by a different DR to "fuck off back to england" if I wanted to be treated.

10) Whn I finally went back to work in may, I was made to feel guilty for being off sick and was told in no uncertain terms if I had any further back problems I would be fired.

I was told by the surgeon that I was the youngest person ever to take this type of operation in japan, and that had I had correct treatment immediately surgery would not have been ne\cessary. I am now dibilitated for the rest of my life, I can not go sking again, nor play soccer or ride a mountainbike downhill. I am 31 y.o.

I am pissed off because no one cares about me, that at my age my back is fucked up forever. They think like "well your better, you can still walk, whats your problem??" My problem is that if i had had the support I needed in the begining, I wouldnt be in this position. I am pissed off because it is the"japanese way" not to say anything or complain about anything.

I just want someone to listen and to take note, I will be taking legal action when I return home, but im told there is nothing I can do here.

I am working at what is supposedly one of the best schools in Miyagi-ken, when it comes to academic level and workplace standards. True, that i have my own desk in the English Department office... But my supervisor basically stalked me- came over to my house unnanounced and for trumped-up reasons, and later on called me at home in the mornings with random 'reminders'. In fact, while i was on vacation, he called up my fiance and demanded to know exactly where i was, because he 'didn't believe i told him the truth'. Near the end of the school year, he gave me a royal bitch session (after which i cried in school)... What he said was that he believes i think about my fiance all the time, and arrange to meet him during lunch-time, and because of this i'm a bad teacher and it interferes with my job. (Nonsense; i do not mention my fiance in school, neither do i call him from school nor meet him during school hours!!! In fact, i often had special after-school classes, for which i stayed voluntarily...) He further said i should have never come to Japan with my fiance, or that i should have told him to go home a long time ago. He also accused me of faking my medical condition, so that i could stay home with my fiance!!! (Nonsense again, as my fiance has a job and works from 10am to 7pm). I tried to politely and reasonably refute all his arguments, but there was no reasoning with him, and he went on to spread rumors about me by telling other teachers these 'beliefs' of his as if they were fact- all behind my back, so there was nothing i could confront.
Now, i've never been stalked before, and i did not know what forms it could take... Or whom to talk to about this (the pref. advisor told me to just bow and answer politely).
But now that i think about it, jealous overtones and obsessive attempts to control me qualify as abuse, even though the man never tried to physically molest me. In fact, this had a direct impact on my work performance- although i am a very good teacher, and did my best while i was at school, i missed some days because of incredibly intense stomach pains. My doctor first diagnosed these as a stomach ulcer; but when the pains did not respond to medication, he concluded that they could be stress-related. (Now, i've lived abroad before, including under communism; and i managed to handle two majors and a minor in college-plus a job- all without stress pains.)

Generally a good experience and I wouldn't be renewing if I wasn'T enjoying it but the powers that be seem to spend a lot of time asking questions and then doing nothing about it. The process for selection of PAs also seems flawed. I speak Japanese and can solve problems for myself but have had to assist others because the prefectual PA is an incompetent arse and does nothing more thatn say 'hmmm I see ' on the phone. ARE YOU GETTING THIS> the reason for his hopelessness may be the fact that he is MORE JAPANESE THAN AMERICAN therefore unwilling to upset his fellow Japanese. This is entirely unexceptable. I have seen many a jet frustrated to tears because of a lack of assistance which should have come first and foremost from the PA.

I think the entire JET program is fundamentally flawed. It throws people from individualistic nations into a society that is so rigidly collectivistic and conservative. It offers no support to the JETS and forces these people to fend for themselves. It does not even make any concerted effort to address the issue of racism that is a daily part of every foreigner's life here.

The tragic part about this program is that it lures new people in by talking about how people will be helping to "internationalize Japan", but fails to mention that the people around you will ridicule your culture and force you persistantly to adopt their character traits. They will also use guilt and make you feel like a worthless human being if you do not agree with their points of view.

Even worse still, is there are numerous JETS who believe the crap of becoming Japanese that when you talk to them about your problems they come up with the same reponse as your Japanese colleagues.

This program is really about Japanazing as many indiviuals as possible. It is also about making the nation's people feel better about their own problems by forcing outside people to agree that there are no problems in the country.
This can be done in either Japanese or English.

We have bodies who are meant to represent the needs and interests of the individuals, who are more interested at serving the needs of the more powerful groups.
SO MUCH FOR INTERNATIONALISATION AND FOR PROVIDING NEW WAYS OF THINKING!

Hey dude,

I am sorry, but I forgot your name! I do remember you though and that you were from Britain. How is your situation going?

I have filled in the survey and wish you luck with it. Again, as I said at the conference, if there was anything else I could do or help that you needed...please email me.

I believe wholeheartedly in what you are trying to do and would like to offer my support.

I know what you mean by "masterplan" and "change", but it is still worth the effort. We are living in a society that hates introspection and new ideas, but one of the main reasons most of us came here was to try to help to change that (even though it might not be possible). What I am trying to say is do not give up, nor believe that what you are trying to do is worthless and doomed to failure. I do understand how easy it is to give up hope in this culture, but doing so let's the bastards win. Again, please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you. There are some of us out here that do care about how other people are going.

Just that I am aware that there are genuine problems BUT this is a different working culture. I have heard people complain that they only get 20 days nenkyu while othwers get 25, and that they are not allowed to drive their car to work. I agree that this is a little unfair, but if you don't read the contract before signing, don't complain about it!

I, as well as many JETs I know have fortunately had a wonderful experience. I think it's a matter of perspective. If you aren't enjoying yourself, maybe someone else will have a better experience.

I dont talk to any of those acronym organizations. I think its pointless and useless. I also believe that most JETs should just leave after a year like I am if they really cant handle the job. Best of Luck.

this survey focuses on the bad, but I have had a great time in my city, and the goods far outweigh the bad. I would still reccomend the jet program to graduates.

I am very interested to see the results of your survey. In fact, I'm sure the entire council is interested in the outcome. If you would like the assistance of National AJET in getting results, I encourage you to keep in contact with us. We CAN and WILL bring your issues to CLAIR, MEXT, or whoever else can help solve the problem. All 22 members on the council this year are committed to making JET a better program.

The JET Program misrepresents itself in most of the literature that is first sent to prospective participants. The 'every experience is different' clause is supposed to protect the Program from being sued, but in reality it traps unsuspecting participants in horrible situations. The only reason I did not break contract and return home was because i had not enough money, after paying living expenses!!!!

I believe, that if a participant is so miserable that they want to return home, they should be given a ticket (and most definitely not be responsible for refunding CLAIR for their ticket to Japan!)

Y'all need to check out my site and chill!
http://www.thelupester.com

Over all a good year, happier now that my partner has joined me teaching privately. Love my little city and enjoy my students. Am glad to be getting a more flexible schedule at the highschool level this coming August. JET has been pretty good for me so not many issues!

Jet is a good program. Only whiners and immature punks complain. This SURVEY is worthless!

FUCK YOU!

If one wishes to be considered a proffessional, you must deal with problems -- not complain about percieved mistreatment. Also, among those who complain, how many can acutally communicate effectively in Japanese?

Food for thought.

your survey assumes everyone is an AET. if you want feedback from CIRs or SEAs, you need to adjust your questions. otherwise you should not say 'JETs,' but rather 'AETs.'

Overall, my experience with JET has been a positive one. My supervisor and the majority of the BOE staff and teachers go out of thier way to make me as comfortable as possible. I feel free to bring to anyone any problems or concerns that I have and other than my slightly negative experience with one of the english teachers I work with (as mentioned above), all of them have been addressed and resolved. I am 27 years old, older than almost all of the JETS in my area. My working conditions here are definitely superior to the conditions I have experienced in my past employment situations. I have found that most often, those that are complaining about nenkyu, working conditions and housing are those JET`s that are straight out of college with no work or `independance` experience and therefore have no `real world` point of reference. They don`t realize that most companies won`t even give you vacation time as soon as you start the job (much less 20 days), that they!
wouldn`t concern themselves at all with your housing and that there`s always negative conditions that you must suck up to get to where you want to be. I do recognize that many JETs have valid complaints as to issues of harassment and culture clashes but in life, you must pick your battles. In this sandbox existance, it`s easy to nitpick on all the imperfections of our contracts and our jobs. Before you cry about what your BOE, your supervisor, your school, etc could/should be doing for you, please take a moment to ask yourself what you are doing for them.

The only problem I was aware of was a particulary rowdy junior high that a coworker was obligated to go to. She refused to go after a student threw a shoe at her face and there was no disciplinary action. A weak kocho-sensei and no contingincies for seriously disruptive students were at fault; however the BOE was cooperative.

C'mon, guys. Stop bitching. We're being paid a huge amount of money to do a really simple job. Just wait until you go back to your home country and find out what the real world is like.

JET was a fantastic experience, but several things affected how it turned out for me vs. other JETs. This included working, in-depth knowledge into Japanese culture, learning to speak and speaking Japanese, supportive teachers who woiuld explain the nuances of Japanese/schoo/bureaucratic culture,and supportive Japanese friends to help broker situations between the school/BOE and myself. Although I have sometimes been treated unfairly by the BOE regarding vacation, etc, it has not been intolerable. They have not asked more of me than they ask of a Japanese teacher. Also, understanding that they are trying to prevent certain situations from happening (i.e. insurance problems from car accidents) helps... although it never stopped me from doing anything!

Anyway, although there are JETs who have legitimate problems, I have also met MANY JETs who have illegitimate claims. They also can't do/don't have any of the things I mentioned above.

For me JET has been a fantastic opportunity. I have come to a foreign country, literally all expenses paid for one year. Never again am I going to be paid so much for doing so little. I have had the opportunity to live in a foreign country with a completely different culture, travel around much of that country, learn the language and experience a different way of life.

JETs are notorious for moaning about their situations, and I can't help thinking that if more of them had actually worked before they came to Japan, and seen what the real world is like, they would be able to better appreciate what an easy lif JET is. I'm not saying that some people don't have very real problems. But a lot of the whinging and whining does seem to be completely unnecessary. The one thing that gets me the most is that if the programme is so terrible as they keep saying, why do they stay for a second and third year? There are so many other people who would love to have the opportunities they do...

I hope you can do something with this info to help future JET`s. Please read my post on Big Daikon for my story of the problems I have had with my BOE. I have had even more problems with my BOE but I got tired of talking about them.
I might even just leave unexpectedly sometime, I almost have several times. The only reason I haven`t left is I don`t want my boe to be able to bully me out of a job I enjoy. Also everyone in my town knows the BOE doesn`t like me. The BOE does nothing to hide it, like I said they even tell people that they go out drinking with, that I am a "bad person". I am a one shot, and have NEVER had any problems with any of the schools I go to. Except that one teacher switched his brokrn chair with my chair right in front of me. I thought that was rude.

While I am sure that sometimes problems of "physical/sexual harrasment/assault" exist as they do in most every country and every organization by some extent,usually by indiviuals and not their respective organizations, actual incidences are comparatively few. The follow up, however, is probably a bigger problem in Japan as there seems not to be a set procedure established in any of the organizations I am aware of, in or out of the JET program, public or private.

I relied mostly on the support of other JETs to coach me through hard times.

My PA has been really helpful and some of my teachers are wonderful so its not been universally bad here. Most of the kids are ace and the elementary school teaching is fun and I am completely in control. No fear of reprisals as I'm off. But I was voted JET most likely to break contract.......hope the next one has a better time than me!

Why are you guys so anomynous?

I really hate how people keep doing things like this. I don`t think there are nearly as many REAL problems out there as people try to make it out as being. Lots of people just need to be more assertive, and be more obsevative as far as noticing and acting on problems before they become big ones. I have had no problems, and the only people I have known that have had any problems were people that were too shy to take care of them.

Good luck, i hope this project changes things for the better.

Well, my JET experience has been very positive thus far even with a few minor bumps. I know I am lucky and not all JETs have a good situation. I hope that people who have had good and bad experiences contribute to this so that it can show the true face of the problems that exists and that real help can come to those who need it.

Be careful with this survey. The questions are very leading and negatively biased. Of course everyone is going to experience some difficulties. However most are mundane problems that would quite possibly be experienced by JETs at home, and can be solved with a little patience and common sense.

The problems I experienced at my school were a result of cultural and social misunderstanding - my ideas of western style schooling conflicting with those of my teachers. I have resolved the problems now, and whilst my relationships at school are by no means perfect, I would say this about any working relationship, whether in my home country or here in Japan. The situations have been resolved through hard work and building better relationships with my teachers.

Sad to have to say it again, but its so true, every situation is different, and although it is dificult to set a basic standard for all, it would be a good idea!! Ganbatte!!

They government ought to take the money they waste on the JET program and send English teachers abroad for some training. JET is great for people who want to live abroad and experience Japan in a safe, comfortable environment, but it really sucks if you are someone looking for "real" teaching experience.
No system is perfect, but I can't see how the kids would be deprived of anything other than having a gaijin to interact with in their schools if the JET program were abolished. Internationalization is good,but I'm certainly not teaching anyone how to speak English.

What actually is AJET doing these days? I'd like more information about changes in my teaching situation, and since I'm not getting it, I reckon AJET could do a bit more about getting Monbukagakusho to provide it. I also think they could afford to get CLAIR to revise their decision making process, so that those used to one system have a chance to get used to a new way before changing the system on us.

After my time here on JET I have become a person who openly tells other foreigners what JET is really like. I have friends that have had great experiences and I am glad for them but when you are in situation were you have problems that are not being addressed you assume that because you are apart of this huge organization they would know how to help or troubleshoot situations. Once JET places you they don't care what happens to you. Their "so-called" workshops do nothing to help you prepare for a bad placement. Personally I dislike the organization simple as that. Maybe support had been given to me I would feel differently but I simple don't.

Also I think JET really needs to look at where a person comes from. I came from a big city and was downsized to small one. You have enough adjustments to make without having to deal with small minds in a small city. Jet never should place urban people in such an isolated enviroment, its like they are begging you to fail!!!

though this survey is a nice idea,the truth of our situation is that we're fighting a losing battle, no is against us in our struggle here, it's just that no one cares what we do or what happens to us.

I hope that I am not a unique case but everyone around me in Minamiaizu, Fukushima ken has responded excellently to the few minor problems that I have had. Even after 11 months I still receive as warm a reception as I did when I first arrived.

I would like to quote a Harvard professor that said,

"The Japanese don't go to school to gain knowledge, they go to school to learn how to become Japanese."

I think this hits the nail on the head. The students of Japan are not truly expected to learn English. Look at the curriculum, the way in which it is taught, the use of katakana-go, the rote memorization forced down their throats and the blatant lack of use of AETs. It is truly a disservice to the students. It is not about us. It is about them. Nothing will change.

Hope you also take into account the good experiences.

I feel the JET program has been a waste of my time. Although I have enjoyed living in Japan I have been underused by the school and BOE. I came here wanting to become a valuable member of the community but am not allowed to join in school events such as sports days and cleaning and spend most of my time at school with nothing to do.

i want to say that although my time here hasn't been a blast, i am recontracting so i must not hate it too much. i just feel worn-down a lot and like i make a lot of effort with little in return in terms of school. outside school is a totally different story, and is probably the main reason i've decided to stay.

Once JETs are treated as members of staff, and not as the "foreigner", we can begin to make real progress in "Internationalization".

Are things really that bad with the program that these things have to be conducted in such a negative and secretive way through anonymous emails. There are numerous websites and JET publications through which we could ask for this information. And not all of these are run by CLAIR.
I know a lot of people have some major concerns and problems at work but contacting people through an anonymous circulated email makes it seem like Cliar is some Big Brother figure that we slag off behind its back.

JETs from the US in particular seem to suffer the most because they are used to a high level of legal/insurance/health/counselling service that doesn't exist in Japan, for the Japanese or JETs. The contrast is huge. To incorporate that kind of support into the JET Programme is a task MEXT/CLAIR need to look at.

Another problem is the fact that every HO operates quite independently of MEXT/CLAIR. My office barely recognises I'm a JET. Recently when I was asked to do counselling for other JETs by the Ken, my office's reaction was "your contract is with us, not the JET programme. If you miss work in our town because of that job, it won't look good for us". My question to the writers of this survey is, "How do you propose changing the JET programme in terms of support for JETs, when the structure on which it was founded doesn't allow recourse for action or accountability?" The fact that we can enter into employment in any organisation is simply on the 'goodwill' of that organisation. They need not be accountable to the JET Programme it seems. Maybe there is a way to approach it through MEXT or CLAIR where either of them may enter a HO'S office to investigate a matter. The fear for CLAIR and MEXT is that the HO may reject the programme. Maybe CLAIR and MEXT are being too precious of the!
ir programme, even if it means sexual harrassment happens to it's participants in HOs. I could go on and say it is the inherent patriarchal structure of the society, the 'boys club' which would prefer to cover up any unmentionable happenings. There is a lot in that but no time to write.

If someone was prepared to make a song and dance about poor treatment on the programme, risk their job and go public, things MIGHT change. Then again, how the media presents issues here is also scarey and it could all get screwed up. I don't think people should have to go to those lengths anyway. We are just teachers and CIRs afterall, not martyrs! Still, no harrassment or unfair treatment should be tolerated. It is the crux of problems with the programme and I wish you luck with sorting through some of the issues. One thing that is needed is more dialogue with locals about frustrations and problems. The more people that are aware of this the better.

There are unacceptable things that go on in this program (students beating teachers, co-workers attempting to bed non-interested JETs etc.) and these do need to be addressed, agressively. Japan is not the best at addressing things aggressivly. The standard answer is "Be patient/flexable" but there are some cases where this is simply not possible. These cases are few and far between, we need to be careful to distinguish between such cases and cases where, (A) the same thing would happen anywhere else due to beauracratic (sp) bullshit or other red tape, or (B) the reason that things are not occuring the way we feel they should is based in cultural differences that are alien to western methods of thought. This is not a society where directness is appreciated much. This fact is not ususally appreciated (in any sense of the word) by most JETs, especially when they are already pissed off by a problem that they feel could have been easily avoided in their home country, o!
r easily prevented by their BOE/super./school.

My main source of unhappiness is the meaninglessness of my job. I have other motivations for participating in the JET program besides teaching - I love Japan and am trying very hard to master the language. However, the utter uselessness of the assistant language teacher position is getting to me.

I am intelligent and competent. I get satisfaction from using my abilities. Yes, I know the JET program is in many ways a sweet deal, but I do not like being useless.

The English language education system here is so profoundly wrongheaded. The students are not taught how to communicate! Instead, the focus is on obscure multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank grammar tests. Pardon my language, but what fucking use is this? And why do they bring us here? To improve English language education? How laughable! It's like slapping a band-aid on a skull fracture. Bringing in young and inexperienced people - it's obvious that bringing in actual, trained teachers would be a big mistake because doing so will only highlight the utter wrong-headedness of Japan's English language teaching.

Please post the results of this survey on Bigdaikon. I am very curious about the results.

It seems to me that most JTEs don't even know why we (JETs) are here to begin with, and so I really do believe that they should be told. What JET participants are being told in their pre-departure orientation is quite different from what is really happening here, as most JTEs couldn't care less about their students' oral skills. THey are the grammar masters, we are the oral ones, and they need to get that and work with that. A lot of JTEs assume that in the end, we JETs aren't even real teachers, so then they don't want our input on things. This is so sad, cause hey, some of us are 'real' teachers, and also we ALL are REAL native speakers, which they will never be. The JET programme is not hell, but it could so easily become so much better!! Luckily, my BOE is fantastic, they always support us and try to help us out in any way that they can. Still, I feel there are lots of myths surrounding ALTs on the JTEs side, lots of them think we never work, that we get!
paid way too much for way too little work, and imagine that our life is a real piece of cake. Of course, as JETs, we know better, but I just wish they would take the time to talk more with us and see for themselves that it ain't as easy as it looks for us. Some schools in Japan are pure chaos (in the classroom) and I wish JTEs would take the time to seek some sort of a solution to this, but they prefer to ignore the problem and counting the days till the 'baddies' graduate... sad! Also, the whole issue of visiting shogakkos needs to be worked on, teachers there can't even speak English, don't even try to make plans, and then expect the magic ALT to do it all in a second! I am tired to hear that every situation is different, and I think that it is time for them to make them a bit more similar.

PLEASE READ THIS ALL AND DON'T DISMISS IT:

Could you make this website a little more unbalanced? I imagine you are going to come up with some statistics at the end of doing this survey which will justify some complaints or statements. I don't want to just sound like I'm arguing with you. But you have to be able to see that this site is totally skewed to encourage negativity and so any results you end up with will be worthless.
For example - have you ever heard of anyone being sexually harassed. Of course everyone has heard stories. So has everyone in jobs back home. It isn't evidence of anything. Equally the stroies of someone else being screwed over by their BoE. There was someone in my prefecture who told everyone how evil their BoE was and all the bad things they'd done. In the end it turned out to be bullshit and they had just abused their position to the point that their BoE had to put their foot down.
I feel that there are a lot of people with legitimate grievances out there. There are also a lot of people who are carried away with their image of how they should be treated as a gaijin in school and as a JET, and are disappointed when they are expected to actually work and adapt to their environment a little.
The style of this website is bound to encourage whining from the second of these groups, as well as the odd legitimate complaint for those with real problems. Please consider this before you make any sweeping judgements and/or cause any problems.
Feel free to respond to this.

I had a great time. I'm sorry so many people don't, but I think most of us are happy here.

very professional coworkers
very human
had a baby
so much support and no one (without exception) stealing my energy

i would like to get involved but unfortunately, because of the issues mentioned above, ive decided to leave japan. if there is a way to get involved via my home country (usa), please contact me. thank you.

I don't understand how supervisors are chosen. Mine obviously wanted nothing to do with me and I wish the supervisory job would've been given to a more interested person instead.

I am staying in Japan because everyday I see positive effects of my job. I may not be given the freedom in my school to be the most active or inventive ALT or provide the kids with the best teaching. I may even go a whole week speaking to only one person at my school, but every time a kid who never spoke a word of English says hi to me, I know that i am doing something. I was amazed at the recontracting conference that so many people that apparently are so unhappy and have such a shit position in Japan are staying another year. If you truely feel like that then you should not be here. we are not employed to be bitter about the position we are in but to make the most of it. I was reminded at the conference that the main point of the Jet programme is internationalization and we certainly do that job very well. Yes, we are not treated ideally all of the time, but is anyone in any job. We are adults who made a concerted choice to be here and we can leave at any poin!
t. yes, it is difficult here sometimes, but imagine if you had a Japanese native speaker in your office back home...would you make a concerted effort to talk Japanese to them having never visited their country before....I fear not. Our poisiton must be put in perspective, we are not special, we are simply doing a job and must not expect to be given special treatment simply because we do not understand the language. I understand many people have bad situations, but you often it is through misunderstanding not only of Japanese teachers towards us, but visa-versa. Learn about the Japanese society and the history that made it and you will understand many things that happen to you are nothing to do with you at all. In the end, you don't like it...get out. No one other than yourself is stopping you.

Are people really that dissatisfied with the JET program??

I'm sorry that some of you have problems, but I hope that you will treasure this experience, as it is a very special time in your lives! Many people would love to be in your shoes right now!

I don't want my e-mail address put out on a website for all the world to see. I don't have time to field a large amount of comments. Good or bad. I would like to help in anyway possible to have something good come out of such a horrible experience.

If you would like to use my comments in any official "news" of any sort, I would like to review how they are being used. They may be used for the purposes of this survey but I don't wish to have my name attached to them at this time. Thank you.

the jet programme has been a great experience and i an truely glad i decided to partake. i am also pretty sure mosr of my friends are happy too, so im sure these "problems" must only be limited ones, but im sorry they happened to you/people you know.

My problems ain't that big in comparison to assault or secu hara, but they certainly gave me something to hate about life for a good few months....

Most of my complaints are things I have no right to complain about--like that every JET in my ken except me gets summers and vacations off...but I don't really have any RIGHT to summers off, it just sucks that everyone else gets them and I don't. I think I have a pretty good deal here overall, and I've just said fuck the system and decided to do what *I* need to do without telling my school about it if need be.

I told my BOE about the incident, but I didn`t take any action against the teacher. The teacher involved did apologize the next day, so I let it be. However, I did tell the BOE to make sure there was some record of what happened, incase it happens again to another ALT.
I haven`t had any problems since that night.

A little initiative on behalf of the JET could alleviate most problems I have heard of, in my opinion.

Had I known that I would be treated this badly on the program I would have not come to Japan. How I wish that I had come across the bigdaikon site before coming here as I would have probably thought twice about coming.

xx as been really supportive when I bring up concerns, regarding transfers and such.

Been good experience overall.

BOE definitely needs to show their JETs that they really care.

On the whole I think the JET program is just fine. Whenever you bring over 6,000 (mostly) right-from-college young men and women, and stick them in a country which operates completely differently from their own home countries, there is going to be friction. And it would be naive to think that things would always run smoothly. Ideas of "Right" and "Wrong" are not universal, and everyone will come away with a different view of the "JET Program".

People are different, everywhere. I've met great Japanese people, and not-so-great Japanese people. I've met great Americans, and Americans who I thought were complete asses. I honestly believe that every person's experience over here will be different, and that everyone's experience is affected to the greatest extent by how they THEMSELVES choose to deal with it/interpret it/understand it.

i see the concept of the "JET program" as kind of like "the Man". everyone screams "damn the man", but really, there isn't any man of flesh and blood to scream at. its a system, made up of so many thousands of interacting elements, that to try and change it is to undertake the task of changing the whole society's way of thinking. and that is no easy task. For me, when i have had problems within JET, i've tried to understand them in context, realize what i could do as an individual to solve them, try to deal with those persons specifically involved, and then realize that my problems are not a result of the "JET Program" per se, or necessarily of "JET policy", but that they result from the conflicting opinions/personalities of individuals, and that if any piece of the "problem" is changed, whether it is the JET, the JTE, the kacho at the BOE, the school, the students, the neighborhood, or whatever, the situation could be viewed/handled in a completely different light.

Good luck in dealing with your situation. remember to keep an open mind, a level head, a clear, consistent arguement, and a firm belief in your convictions. but that's just the opinion of another far-off JET who you've probably never met...

Maybe you should of specified that this survey was just for ALTs....:(

Don't waste our time, and don't waste the Japanese taxpayers money

i think that the jet programme is superb. i have no criticisms, i have had a fantastic year, i love japan, and it is a shame that for some people things didn`t work out. HOWEVER, i think most of this can be attributed to people moaning about fuck all and neglecting the fact that as jets, we are paid a great deal for doing very little work, which is good, and we have an amazing opportunity to live in japan. i quite dislike people who moan and have found many of these types to be on the jet programme. my opinion is that if you are the type of person who moans incessantly, don`t bloody bother coming to japan. stay in your own country and irritate the people there. thank you. :)

good luck - I hope the anonymity of this survey doesn't damage its effectiveness

I think it's very important that people should realise they CAN quit the Jet program any time they want. People at London orientation said "I think one person quit last year because of their family dying" or something, but they must realise that lots of people quit. The contract is completely unreasonable and one month's notice is fine. (Zero notice is fine if the situation is really bad.)

Perhaps especially people stuck in the remote countryside feel they can't quit - but they can. If the situation is intolerable, then by quitting it's not you who is doing harm by stopping doing the job. It's other people who are forcing you to quit - they have responsibility for that harm. (By "harm" I mean students at a school not getting enough English conversation practice.)

my prefectural advisor was helpful - unfortunatly i didn`t realize i should ask for help until it was too late and after the fact. i could have used some advice about transferring before i simply faxed in the equivalent of a slap in the face to my BOE (without realizing it of course).

don't truly feel that the JET participants are making much of an impact in language teaching in Japan. Many of my friends here are very cynical about their function at work. They laugh about their student's ability and drive to learn, or lack thereof. They complain of being terminally bored and severally underutilized. They also complain of being ineffective and ignored due to the "business" of the teachers. Many, including myself, work with almost no supervision whatsoever, not to mention help, input, ideas. It's almost a joke that we just go into class to keep up appearances as the ALT.

Most of the problems I had with my school stemmed from the housing arrangements, which (may have) led to bad relations with my go-between who knew 'nothing' about any request I asked of them. From this year things have become better as I understand the system better and my go-between has changed. I am working with much friendlier and helpful people and some new part-time English staff were placed next to me. I am lucky this year as I have people who have time to listen to me and offer support in translating etc. This extends beyond topics related only to work.

Any problems I have had have been minor. I think the JET Programme would be a lot better if people were better trained and more experienced in the work place before they came here.
I seriously think that a lot of JETs have an appaling attitude to Japan and its culturen and if they opened up a bit, things would be a lot better. It is not only for the Japanese to understand our culture, but for us to assimilate and try and understand them. We too must be internationalised.

Check out my journal for a more comprehensive look. www.livejournal.com/users/eileen_oneill

Also...I had a letter printed in the Daily Yomiuri about it. They had a special feature of evaluations of the JET program on its 15th anniversary, and mine got printed (there were only six letters printed). Mine was the most profoundly negative, but I should have gone even more negative. This program is crap.

JET is a F%$king 3 year holiday.
instant teachers( JETs ) take themselves, and not their jobs, way to seriously.
grow up!

It is really hard to assess the JET scheme,as some people have the cooshiest jobs and lifestyles, whilst others don't. I would say that the majority of problems in this area for alts are the result of Japanese culture. The way they do things out here is so different to our own home situations. What they really need to learn though, is that they can't force their ways on to us. Having won my way over the no. of hours I should work in a day, I still get looks if I leave at my offical end time. I am not the same as them, so shouldn't be treated that way.

The JET programme on the whole is good but where people encounter problems of the magnitude as the young women I decribed did, there seems to be no accountability on the school's part to ensure personal safety of their staff and deal appropriately with serious problems.

Sort out your own problems. 95% of jet problems can be resolved by the jet him/herself if they have a brain, social and communicative skills. You dont need to be able to speak Japanese, just realise that your in a different country and things happen a little different.
FormButton2 = Submit

I don't have any complaints against the JET Program; my job situation was no better/worse than many I have had in the US and it paid better.

However, in light of some things I have heard, I do feel that the issue of sexual harassment needs to be addressed. While this issue is largely still ignored in Japanese culture, it is most definitely NOT acceptable in the JET participants' home countries.

Not only does this make for unhappy JETs with terrible stories when they come home; it also creates a huge lawsuit potential for the JET Program and its affiliated entities.

My experience in Japan was an extremely positive one. I hope that you find peace with your situation from this survey.

My time in my small town (~6,900 residents; teaching everyday at one junior high of 209 students, working with 2 JTEs, and going to one of three elementary schools twice a week) has been pretty damn good. I would have put "fantastic" for my experience, but life is a bit boring here and the social life isn't all that happening (but I'm sure part of that is my fault and I should just go out to the city and *meet* people).

However, I have friends whose schools are not as good as mine...kids are obnoxious: they smoke in class (jr high schoolers); the teachers bitch about how bad the kids are, but never do anything to fix it; teachers would beat kids and stuff like that. I'm happy with my situation, and though I would like to live in a larger city (like most people, I'm sure), I'm not certain that the differences in schools would be worth it.

cykeichan
staying for a 3rd year

my advice is that not only JETS but their JTEs and Supervisior should be better trained..

I consider myself to be extremely fortunate to be here. Living in Japan certainly has its frustrating and even infuriating moments, but that is all part and parcel of the experience for me. I can't be having difficulties of the sort you are hinting at.
Good luck.

My contracting organization is very isolated & has a hard time convincing ALTs to stay. Because of this-- and, I think, just because they're good, kind people-- my school & BOE have been very nice to me. I've had some problems with elementary schools (lack of discipline) but they're not where I work the most.

guess I'm lucky.

I know that some people have had some bad experiences, but I was one of the lucky ones who had a truly wonderful experience on the JET Program. Everyone I met in Japan was great to me and although of course there were problems, there were never any that couldn't be solved.

I consider myself lucky to have been placed at a senior High school where the staff and students have bent over backwards to make me feel welcome and appreciated. I have thankfully never encountered any problems such as being decieved, lied to, harrassed or cheated. I realise that these are problems for a number of JETS and I feel that this type of treatment is absolutely unacceptable. I am glad that the creators of this survey realise that there is an element of balance to the programme of good and bad, and think that this is a positive move toward making some changes that will protect JETS from unfair or unacceptable treatment. In my experience I have always been treated with respect and am working at a school where high standards of professionalism prevail. My requests or complaints have been dealt with quickly and effectively by office staff and my supervisor.

Good luck with the collation of these results!

I think this is a good idea, and I applaud you for doing it. Perhaps I am very fortunate to have a wonderful supervisor and vice principals? I hope more people out there share my good fortune!

I am very fortunate to have a good school and BOE.Unfortunately I have heard that others were not so lucky.I feel sorry for them because they have to worry about harrassment and holidays and discipline instead of traveling, culture, and adventure.It's a shame they have to miss out on a wonderful country and possibly have it tarnished due to these situations.

The teachers at all three of my schools have been great. Any problems we initially had have been solved. The reason I have recontracted is because of them. While students will be out of control sometimes, I have come to accept this as a problem bigger that the JET Programme and a problem of Japanese society (and North American society as well).

I'm sick of it

In my case my work as an ALT and my living circumstances have run quite smoothly. One factor that has contributed to this has been that my go-bewteen teacher has spent some time living in the United States and so has a more realistic idea about my expectations about living in Japan.

There is a tendency for CLAIR and AJET to blame all of our problems on us. They tend to assume that we are immature children and that it hasn't occurred to us to try dialogue and use more Japanese methods to solve our problems. I am sick of going to conferences and being told that if I was more polite/ more genki/ less genki etc etc I would be perfectly fulfilled. Teh fact is that noone has satisfactorily defined what ou‚’ jobs are and it ‚ˆas taken me@a year to have the experience and confidence in my position at work to work it out for myself. I am very glad to be staying for a second year as if I were not I would be going home feeling that a lot of my time had been wasted. As it is I am starting to implement changes and be able to achieve something other than being a glorified entertainer at work.

I have not taken any direct action yet but will do so and will get back to you after having taken that action.

I would not recommend the JET program without serious reservations. I think that it has improved my ability to put up with far more sh*t than I ever imagined I'd be able to. It has improved my ability to sit at a desk all day and do my own thing. Has it taught me anything but how to endure? I don't know. Time will tell. I have another year, then I'm going home and never living here again.

I would suggest implementing some type of quality control during your interview of individuals

My time here has been fanatastic, but I have had my days like any other person living abroad. Fortunately any of the bad things my predecessor experienced I didn't. She was like the woman pioneer for my city, so I've come to realize that many times things take time.

My office I can't say enough good things about them, especially when I hear from other ALT's about their offices. I have always been treated professionally and not treated so much different by my gender. I knew an ALT that got a hassle about going to Thailand because her office thought it would be too dangerous as a woman.

My schools, overall my english teachers were great. I had some occasional ones that weren't. I was quite content that they used me in the classroom often. I know some highschool ALT's are rarely used because of test....and this can make your days so drudging if you have no time in the classroom.

My students were great also. In 3 years I've only had a few problems. One was a 3rd year class that kept silent and had 3 bully/leaders in the class that kept everyone quite.

The only thing I can say of negativity is that I never had a home school...I had about 17 schools. It was hard to keep the connections going with students and teachers.

The JET program has offered me so much I can't thank enough for. I really got a well rounded view of much of japanese life by working at 17 schools. THe benefits and money was probably more than I have ever seen in my life and helped to pay towards college loans.
If my prefecture offered to stay a 4th year, I definitely would without a doubt.

I am supportive of critiscism when it is deserved. If wrong doings have occured then they should be undone. If supervisors are abusing their position or not treating a JET fairly then of course that should be addressed. However it has been my experience that many JETS complain about things such as nenku and pay and their Japanese supervisors with no real validity. Just think about all the other jobs out there, then you realize we have it pretty good with vacation and pay and our other benefits (medical..etc). I think the JET program is wonderful. I have had no bad experiences or heard of any on the program in the last year. I am sure there are JETS out there who have very valid cases of wrongdoing against them, and I support any effort to right those wrongs. Just make sure when you register your complaints there not petty...it makes us all look like a bunch of spoiled kids!

I think I am really underused and that there should be a much clearer job description. Otherwise, my experience here has been overwhelmingly positive and many people have been extremely kind and generous to me.

This survey is incredibly one-sided. I thought you wanted to hear positive reports as well as negitive?? I am fully happy with the JET Program, my BOE, AJET, Clair, all of my schools, and my supervisor - but I don't see any questions here asking me to rate my approval or tell any of my success stories. I can't help but wonder why that is... My guess is that you really don't want to hear the good side.

I'm not saying that there aren't any problems with the program and my heart goes out to anyone who was assaulted or harrassed or blackmailed in any way. But I think a lot of the problems have to do with the JET. I have seen a lot of whiny just-out-of-Uni I-have-to-have-my-way-or-I-will-make-a-mountain-out-of-the-smallest-molehill spoiled brats who think they can change anything to suit their needs.

I think a lot of people have forgotten that they have a choice - if you don't like it here, then go home to mommy and daddy who will comfort those hurt feelings and buy you a new car to make everything all better.

I hope you will contact me for my success stories, but I have a feeling that you wont. After all, I only have GOOD things to say.

By the way, question 14 has an error in it. It should read "Do you know of anyone WHO....."

Yeah. You people are very immature. This SURVEY is BULLSHIT! Grow up, go to work and shut up!

Japan can suck and it can be great.
But we are at a huge disadvantage as soon as we arrive. We may not know the language, we look different and we are trying to do our best.
Which involves many alts being taken for a ride and being taken hugely advantage of.

My job has been great aside from feeling like a piece of furniture sometimes. However, I am really angry for my friend. I was warned before I came that the JET Program can not be counted on to help out in times of need. This is obviously true. After my friend in Kurogi left, they published her story in a local Japanese paper. Please let me know if you are interested in speaking to her.

To be honest, sometimes I think the Japanese government is spending a lot of money to keep us like pet monkeys.

Thanks for the survey! While MEXT will probably not read it, it does give JETs a chance to vent a bit, and should give an idea of the general situation out there.

I think some schools are much harder to work at than others. I feel very lucky to be in my school where the ALT is apprecitated and treated well by every one. I know that not all schools are so wonderful though. It helps if you can just befriend one teacher to help you better understand what is going on in the schools. It could be that everyone in the school also hates your kocho sensei or perhaps they don't know what they could do to help you. If you have someone to work for you in the school it's much easier.

I haven't contacted MEXT as i didn't know about being able to do this. What is their contact address?
If i had had support during the difficult time in January then i would have contacted them as well.
Again - another failing.
I felt very unsupported and consequently let-down by so called support systems.

The problems that JETs face really depend on their contracting organizations. I have a great CO, but I am lucky. Some JETs that complain are merely immature and are being unrealistic about their situation. If more JETs had worked previously I think they would be more grateful for how little is asked of them. Also, a lot of the problems that JETs face are related to differences in culture, but JETs will sometimes blame the CO for something that is a much harder problem to resolve, namely, the differences between the Japanese and the non-Japanese perspective.

I recognize that I was very lucky in my placement and community, but I worked at making it work, too. It helped that I knew Japanese. I would be curious to know the details of the complaints the author and others have gone through.

I wasn't involved in any of the organizations for JET participants (AJET, leading orientations and such), but I had very favorable views of CLAIR> I appreciated the counseling sessions, the newsletters, the care they seemed to have for us.

I hope that you receive a variety of answers, and good luck.

JET needs its own representive body /institution inside Japan- someone who can legally represent mistreated JETS and someone who can back us on rightful standards for all forgeigners (teachers) working in Japan. Claire doesn't have the jurisdiction or authority to help us with individual confrontations or abuses in our towns/ BOEs. They always tell you to get advice elsewhere, such as seeking legal counseling. How many JETs in Japan have the access or ability to do that?
Claire is the Japanese head office for the education branch of the _Japanese_ goverment. This means that Claire is not officially in charge of, or responsible for the JET program. Their is no body or institution inside Japan that is running or responsible for the JET program. That body exists in our home countries to farm us out to BOEs in Japan. Once we board the plane, we are no longer in JETs hands, we are in our contracting institution's hands. I believe that we become severed from the JET program- that is an official office that represents us, once we arrive in Japan. That should not happen. The "JET Program" needs to continue existing for us, all through our time on the program. This fact needs to change, if JETs will ever work in a safe, legal and standardized program. The current system now, is left open to the possibility, and what we know is the existance of, unfair treatment and abuses in the work environment. I commend all of you on your work and goal!
s in this project. I wish you the best in making positive changes.

I have no complaints about my Schools, BOE or City in general. I, and the other JET'S in my City are treated superbly, and the people at the BOE worry about us (sometimes too much). I count myself really lucky that i have been placed here, and not in one of the horror story schools i have heard about throught the grape vine.
My JET experience only really has possitive outcomes, but having spoken to some people at the Re-contracting conference I realize that there are a lot of people out there who might as well be invisible to they're employers.
Unfortunately, this is a country where it is encouraged NOT to make a fuss of things, and to stay quiet. Therefore, however much you hate the idea, this philosophy has to be respected in a way because, after-all, you are working in Japan. But this does not excuse some of the behaviour of certain BOE's I have heard of. When this happens, I think CLAIR should take a bit more notice, and maybe NOT send JET's to the places with a history of bad behaviour.
As for AJET, they might as well just disappear, because they were about as much use to me and my friends as a helicopter ejector seat.

I think there are some bad situations out there. I think in any job there are some bad situations. I have been really fortunate in my town, but I don't think I'm exceptional. Everyone butts heads with people they don't like now and then...in any job. I think a lot of the problems ALTs experience feel bigger than they are, due to our relative isolation and helplessness in this vastly different culture. I think the best thing to do is improve support systems, and counselling, and make AJET actually into a useful organization rather than a catchy acronym with nothing behind it.

To those responsible for devising this questionnaire, first an apology for belated response! (A tumble down the school stairs put me in hospital last month... still, no excuses!)

Anyway, I should like to commend the efforts you`re making in seeking opinions of others and I hope you receive a volume of response worthy of the time and effort you`ve put into preparing this survey.

Just to say that there are those of us who do have a good situation with bosses, BOE's etc, who are professional and understanding. There are some of us with schools who provide us with support and are willing to learn how to best utilize the foreign language teacher at thier school.
I understand that there are those who have a rough time and I do sympathise, but be careful when you interpret the data - dont go on a mission of destruction!
Must admit though, that if I ever had any major problems, I would not have that much confidence in CLAIR to back me up.

I have had a heavy desire to start murdering people while on tour here. There are other trouble spots as well (don't even get me started on the police), but if you can find a good spot, then things aren't so bad. My second school was a good spot for me -- I actually left on good terms with people crying, but the first school has scarred me for life. I don't even bother to say hello to the students from there because I don't remember who I liked or didn't like and to be perfectly honest, I don't care.

I love teaching and Japan but there is no way I could recommend this program to anyone.

I would like to end with these are my feelings and no one can invalidate the way I have felt on this program and in my prefecture (that goes for other JETs who have had problems). Many people in my prefecture feel like I am wrong because I decided not to re-contract for a second year. But they do not know what I have experienced. Everyone reacts differently to situations. I had been unhappy and frustrated this whole year and I have no regrets making the decision to leave Fukui after one year. Thank you for this survey!
Hana Chan

Please let me know if you need any further information on the Big Daikon message board.

lick my balls

All comments above are relating to the two years I spent as an ALT. I took over a CIR job which involved PA work for my third year and I cannot praise the organisaion in which I work enough for their professionalism and efforts.

If you can't solve your own problems without resorting to a Jet survey/petition then maybe you are not mature enough to be living/working in a foreign country. This is not high school where you have your parents to hold your hand and guide you through every little bump in the road. Don't get bent out of shape by these comments - they are just my opinion.

too many jets moan far too much
we have it easy over here, if ppl pull their finger out and ask people for help there will be someone in the school who will help them.
we get given lots on this programme and many people expect too much, if they have ever worked before i think they would see it all in a different light.
you are coming to a different culture with many many differences to the way you are used to living.
it wont be perfect, life is not perfect
many spend so much time complaining rather than trying to find a way around the problems
when they leave the programme i think many people will wish they were back on it because of all the benefits

I'm just glad I studied and practiced Japanese like a madman (Level 1 thankya very much!!!) and saved massive amounts of money---as a result I had the time and resources to travel all over Asia for a full year after leaving JET (I did manage to get my school back for all their bullshit by having them fund my trip), and have now found an excellent paying, challenging, and interesting job (all adjectives I would not use to describe JET) in which I use my Japanese every day. Also, I managed to meet my future wife along the way, which would have never been possible if I hadn't worked hard while I was a JET.

So, while I have nothing but contempt and a big middle finger for the JET Programme, I must say I have no regrets whatsoever for participating since it gave me the opportunity to do quite a lot and I managed to have a great time in Japan regardless.

I don't imagine you'll get anywhere with this survey of yours, but I sure do hope it makes you feel a bit better. Nothing will change in the JET Programme---things will continue to stay the same.

Remember, there's so much out there in this world---those folks you work with now don't know this, and you'd better remember not to forget it. There is most definitely life after JET, and it's up to you to make it happen. Take some time off after JET like I did and just go travel around. Spend a few months studying massage and Thai in Thailand, or yoga and Hindi in India. Spend a couple more months just sitting on the beach in either of these countries, or in another one. Spend a few months in Europe or the States just partying and hanging out.

While you do these things, make sure you keep talking to some of the Japanese people you meet---you'll find that some of them are actually good people, and it will enable you to keep your hand in the game when it comes to your Japanese studies. Use this time to reflect on your JET-Japan experience, to examine what you have learned from it, how you have grown and become a better person, and also allow yourself to work through all the frustration and anger you experienced. I think it's OK to be pissed off for a while, as long as you eventually get over it and move on, you know?

Most of all, it's your life, man---enjoy it and make the most of it. And when it comes to those people who are trying to take away your happiness by pushing their unhappiness onto you, fuckem!!!!

First of all, thank you for raising this matter. It is important that JETs have a means of airing their greivences and that provisions are in place to make changes.
However, it is important to remind you that those who choose to recontract such as myself, have chosen to do so because any complaints we have are not great enough to persuade us to leave. The advantages outweigh the disadvantages and no one is being forced to stay in their job against their will. It is even possible to leave mid contract.

My Time on Jet so far has been pretty awesome and the only problems i have encountered from friends and even myself to a small extent is maybe a lack of class time leading to boredom. But every one here has been awesome

On my JET application I cleary printed "anywhere except Hokkaido". I repeated my wishes during the interview. I said I was very flexible when it came to my placement....as long as it wasn't in Hokkaido. I got placed in Hokkaido and regret it every day that I am here. Thanks for listening to my requests.

It should be recquired that during any one of those numerous orientation meetings back when we began, that newcomers be given a workshop on how to handle trouble situations like the ones that happened to me. Had I known then what I know now I wouldn't have take the abuse from the v.p. I would've defended myself less timidly.

I've had some wonderful experiences in Japan, as well as some pretty bad ones. I hope this survey highlights both to paint the real picture of the JET Programme.

I think my problems were largely cultural in nature. I also think they were personal power issues between my coteachers and I and we worked them out to the best of our ability. My supervisor was very supportive and understanding.

"...became clear that there are very many problems..."
Very many?

My problem has always been JETs who can't even write the language they are supposed to be teaching.

Also,
"...exposed to such an unwholesome website and have stopped me posting the link. Booo!"
"Some spoke of the invisibility of AJET."

JETs who badmouth AJET, yet use it to spread their crap! People who talk all sorts of crap... but have nothing to back it up... like the ability to actually change anything!

I have had a lot of problems in Japan both personal (family member died) and accidental (I have been hit by a car three times now! Mihara drivers are awful!).
I would never have had such a good time on the JET program if it were not for my school, the children and my Japanese friends! With many of these people it is not their job or duty in the slightest to look out for or look after me but they have been exceptional and wonderful! I will really really miss them.
I`m seriously worried about the ALT who will replace me! I`ve already asked everyone I know to look after her because my supervisor is completely useless!

AJET can help, but lately they've been very unprofessional. The new prefectural rep/VPrep has been taking on things as a personal crusade, and sending out emails to everyone's personal emails, which are welcomed by some, but not by all. Yes, everyone appreciates knowing what's going on, but the emails carry a distinct tone of "everyone in charge of the JET Programme are trying their best not to help us" and are a bt inflammatory. PAs in the prefecture are expected to be at their beck and call, and are demanded to answer them quickly as if they had no other work to do, and if they tried to state the position of the BOE, they are shunned like "the other side".

Personally, I like AJET, I think they can do a lot of good, but the way that Iwate AJET is bombarding the BOE, they are not only going to get anything done, they're going to render themselves ineffective. We all know how the Japanese function, and head-butting them at every turn is not going to do any good. Because they can't do it themselves, they're expecting the PAs to do it for them, and putting the PAs in a very bad position. Some of the JETs are tired of their emails (the mass emails with everyone's addresses on them, and it is inevitable to prevent them coming in and stuffing up your account), and others are harboring unjustified anger towards the BOE because AJET has told them that the BOE is at fault and not helping.

I would also like to say that this does not apply to everyone on AJET council, and that I think the AJET members who are doing this truly believe they're doing the good work--but let's face it, the JET Program isn't a soap opera, and half-hearted intrigues will do no one any good.

For the JET program to work, JTE's need to have some training on team teaching.

I'm serious. I have nothing but good things to say about JET and
CLAIR. I've been in the Programme for three years and have just started
a fourth. The opportunities that the JET Programme offer are unlimited.
Every situation is different, of course, but in every situation
there is the chance to do something amazing. It's up to the individual
to do the job, or not.
This could have been a three year vacation for me, but instead, I
turned it into an adventure that has kept me busy roughly 16 hours a
day, every day. I made a difference, and I know it, and I owe it all to
CLAIR and the JET Programme.

I think that although we all have our grievances about JET and aren't happy about some things such as nenkyu whatever, you have to see this job as a 'real' employment and we are treated a lot better and have far more benefits than we would back home. Saying that though, it is good that someone is doing this to give JETs an opportunity to air their views.

There should be a support system, and a WARNING sent out to protect JET's from being sexually harrassed in their work places. This is a SERIOUS problem especially for women.
Other than these complaints, the Jet program is a great program.

the jet programme is a great idea but...

the reality is far different

Too many to list right now. Just hope you can accomplish
something with this. Maybe you might want to consider
joining a union?

Even worse still, is there are numerous JETS who believe the crap of becoming Japanese that when you talk to them about your problems they come up with the same reponse as your Japanese colleagues.

How are you? My husband and I were just talking about
you the other day. We continue to be amazed by all
that the JET program is. We really care about the
kids, so its hard when we feel so bitter and helpless
about the job. Many Jets don't give a damn, but that
is the main problem with Japan, ya know.

Anyway, if you ever need some support, just drop us a
line.

So my friend in the next town over is depressed and bringing me down. I need some advice on how to pick her up and help her enjoy life in this wild and crazy country. So, here's the sitch: She has the supervisor from HELL. My friend is working at a very high level SHS in a fairly big city. She only teaches about 6 English conversation classes a week. She has tried to start up lots of little projects and activities that everyone is always suggesting on BD - like English newspaper, joining in on clubs and trying to help out other English teachers. But, the poor girl is blocked at every turn. All of the teachers have made it very clear in the past few weeks that she is only to be the English conversation elective teacher and nothing else. So she sits at her desk all day doing nothing. Feeling worthless and wondering why she came to Japan in the first place.
Her supervisor is a complete b*tch to her. She never helps her or frequently snaps at my friend for no reason. Yesterday the Kyoto sensei came bawled her out for using the school computers to check e-mail in her free time. WTF else is she supposed to do with 6 classes a week?! When she politely asked if she could take her daikyu (in a different month like I do) her tantosha made a huge deal of it lauging in her face "Of course NOT! You are so lazy!" - she actually said that.
My friend has asked her kocho sensei and supervisor several times what she could do in her spare time besides sit and stare at her desk. Both replied with something like you are the English teacher you should KNOW what to do. She is confused about what the hell she's here for - and has spent a lot of time in the bathroom crying.
The whole ordeal really angers me and makes me feel bad since my situation is so good. I know there must be some of you out there who have experienced something like this. The PA has been no help - telling her to tough it out or she won't be recontracted. Do any of you have any advice I can give to her. Words of encouragement...anything?
[above From BD]

(From a Sendai email) I have lung cancer. Well, not quite yet, but I'm working on it. I sit next to the smoking area in my school and am developing quite a nice little smoker's hack which doesn't stop.

What I would like to know is if anyone has any nice colour photos of disgusting health problems that smokers develop; also if any Canadians out there happen to have packs of cigarettes with the nice graphic pictures / descriptions on them (I'd especially like to get my hands on the limp willy one). If you do, I'd like to borrow and colour copy them to put, with Japanese translations, on my board at school. The kids are always moaning about the stink of cigarettes at school but basically the administration doesn't want to do anything.

If you can help me, I'd be eternally grateful! (and maybe alive...)